Parent to Parent: Stopping teen drinking

But there are ways to team up with your teens to help them avoid alcohol.

Andrea Bonaiuto, 18, is set for her senior celebrations. She found the perfect dress for prom night, and the party plans for graduation are in place.

But along with many of these end-of-the-year parties comes something her mother wants her to avoid!

Susan Bonaiuto, mom
"What are you going to do if you get to somewhere, and there is drinking going on?"

Andrea Bonaiuto, daughter
"I'm going to say, 'No, thank you.'"

Experts say the key to keeping kids "safe and sober" is "constant communication" between parent and child and between parent and parent.

Andrea's mom teams up with other mothers for some "teen talk" coffee chats.

Deborah Engler, Needham Public Schools
"The key ages of experimentation is between the ages of 12 to 14."

Parents learn from experts how to help their kids deal with everything, from peer pressure to drugs and alcohol.

They even come up with different ways to "just say no."

Deborah Engler, Needham Public Schools
"I'm on medication I can't drink tonight. I'm going to a doctor I don't want to touch this stuff."

Andrea Bonaiuto, teenager
"You can even take a drink that looks like alcohol; take like a Coke or something."

When it comes to discipline, experts say pay attention to your teen's point of view.

Deborah Engler, Needham Public Schools
"I think admitting to them, "Hey I get this is not easy, and I get that you may not always make the best decisions,' and I think that's a much different conversation than coming down on them and saying that's just how we feel and these are our rules."

Experts recommend a no questions asked contract where the teen faces little or no consequences if they call for help.

Deborah Engler, Needham Public Schools
"So any day or night, any time of the night or day, call us, and we'll take you home safely. The priority is safety."

So with a little communication, parents and teens can have a safe and sober celebration.

Experts say other ways to avoid teen temptations is to lock the liquor cabinet and make sure a parent is always present at a party.

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